Oakland basketball legends: Then and now

JASON KIDD (1991): The St. Joseph's High star scraps during a playoff game versus Bishop O'Dowd. He was born in SF and raised in Oakland.

JASON KIDD (1991): The St. Joseph's High star scraps during a playoff game versus Bishop O'Dowd. He was born in SF and raised in Oakland.

Photo: John OHara / The Chronicle

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JASON KIDD (2012): After playing two years for Cal, Kidd won an NBA championship with Dallas. He's shown here last month with fellow Bay Area native Jeremy Lin.

JASON KIDD (2012): After playing two years for Cal, Kidd won an NBA championship with Dallas. He's shown here last month with fellow Bay Area native Jeremy Lin.

Photo: AP

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GARY PAYTON (1986): The Oakland-born Payton went to Skyline High School. Shown here during his freshman year at Oregon State, the defense-minded point guard was All-Pac-10 three times at OSU. That's Cal's Kevin Johnson on the left. less

GARY PAYTON (1986): The Oakland-born Payton went to Skyline High School. Shown here during his freshman year at Oregon State, the defense-minded point guard was All-Pac-10 three times at OSU. That's Cal's ... more

Photo: Brant Ward / The Chronicle

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GARY PAYTON (2012): Shown here with fellow OSU alum A.C. Green, Payton enjoyed a 17-year NBA career that started with the Supersonics and included nine All-Star appearances. He won a championship in 2006 with the Miami Heat. less

GARY PAYTON (2012): Shown here with fellow OSU alum A.C. Green, Payton enjoyed a 17-year NBA career that started with the Supersonics and included nine All-Star appearances. He won a championship in 2006 with ... more

Photo: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

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ANTONIO DAVIS (1990): Born in Oakland, the big man played at McClymonds High in the 1980s. Shown here at a pro-am game in San Francisco.

ANTONIO DAVIS (1990): Born in Oakland, the big man played at McClymonds High in the 1980s. Shown here at a pro-am game in San Francisco.

Photo: Eric Luse / The Chronicle

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ANTONIO DAVIS (2004): The 6-foot-9 power forward played four years at UTEP, three more overseas and then had a solid 13-year NBA career.He had long stints in Indiana and Toronto -- and a short one with the Bulls. less

ANTONIO DAVIS (2004): The 6-foot-9 power forward played four years at UTEP, three more overseas and then had a solid 13-year NBA career.He had long stints in Indiana and Toronto -- and a short one with the ... more

Photo: Lance Iversen / The Chronicle

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ANTONIO DAVIS (2012): An image of Davis from "The Town Game."

ANTONIO DAVIS (2012): An image of Davis from "The Town Game."

Photo: Courtesy Comcast SportsNet Bay Area

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J.R. RIDER (1993): Born in Oakland, Rider was a star at Alameda's Encinal High and UNLV before starring in the NBA. The guard is with friends on draft day, where he was the No. 5 overall pick for Minnesota.

J.R. RIDER (1993): Born in Oakland, Rider was a star at Alameda's Encinal High and UNLV before starring in the NBA. The guard is with friends on draft day, where he was the No. 5 overall pick for Minnesota.

Photo: Courtesy Vanessa Rider

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J.R. RIDER (2001): Rider averaged 16.7 points over an 8-year career. His rocky stint with the Lakers (yes, that's a technical foul) included a championship.

J.R. RIDER (2001): Rider averaged 16.7 points over an 8-year career. His rocky stint with the Lakers (yes, that's a technical foul) included a championship.

Photo: AP

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J.R. RIDER (2012): Rider, shown here with Vanessa Rider and his then 12-day-old son, continues to give out scholarships to Encinal High students through the Skyrider Foundation.

J.R. RIDER (2012): Rider, shown here with Vanessa Rider and his then 12-day-old son, continues to give out scholarships to Encinal High students through the Skyrider Foundation.

Photo: Courtesy Skyrider Foundation

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DEMETRIUS "HOOK" MITCHELL (1989): Mitchell poses at Mosswood Park in Oakland. The McClymonds High star was only 5-foot-9, but known for his leaping ability and strong instincts on the court.

DEMETRIUS "HOOK" MITCHELL (1989): Mitchell poses at Mosswood Park in Oakland. The McClymonds High star was only 5-foot-9, but known for his leaping ability and strong instincts on the court.

Photo: Jason M. Grow / The Chronicle

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DEMETRIUS "HOOK" MITCHELL (2004): After several scrapes with the law and drug use struggles, Mitchell served a prison sentence for robbing a Blockbuster Video store. He's shown here at a pro-am game after his release. less

DEMETRIUS "HOOK" MITCHELL (2004): After several scrapes with the law and drug use struggles, Mitchell served a prison sentence for robbing a Blockbuster Video store. He's shown here at a pro-am game after his ... more

Photo: Mike Kepka / The Chronicle

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DEMETRIUS "HOOK" MITCHELL (2012): Mitchell has been the subject of documentaries, most recently the upcoming "The Town Game." While his troubles haven't ended, he has also worked with youth.

DEMETRIUS "HOOK" MITCHELL (2012): Mitchell has been the subject of documentaries, most recently the upcoming "The Town Game." While his troubles haven't ended, he has also worked with youth.

Photo: Courtesy Comcast SportsNet Bay Area

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LEON POWE (2002): Oakland-born Powe was a star at Oakland Tech. This is from an Oakland Athletic League playoff, with coach Kevin Scott.

LEON POWE (2002): Oakland-born Powe was a star at Oakland Tech. This is from an Oakland Athletic League playoff, with coach Kevin Scott.

Photo: Julie Plasencia / The Chronicle

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LEON POWE (2008): After two full seasons with Cal, Powe was drafted by the Celtics, where he won an NBA championship in 2008. After an ACL tear, he played for two more NBA teams, and recently signed in Puerto Rico. less

LEON POWE (2008): After two full seasons with Cal, Powe was drafted by the Celtics, where he won an NBA championship in 2008. After an ACL tear, he played for two more NBA teams, and recently signed in Puerto ... more

Photo: Mark Costantini / The Chronicle

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LEON POWE (2012): A recent image of Powe from "The Town Game."

LEON POWE (2012): A recent image of Powe from "The Town Game."

Photo: Courtesy Comcast SportsNet Bay Area

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BRIAN SHAW (1988): Born in Oakland, the 6-foot-5 guard was a star at Bishop O'Dowd High. He played at St. Mary's and is shown here leading UCSB to its first NCAA tourney berth.

BRIAN SHAW (1988): Born in Oakland, the 6-foot-5 guard was a star at Bishop O'Dowd High. He played at St. Mary's and is shown here leading UCSB to its first NCAA tourney berth.

Photo: Courtesy Comcast SportsNet Bay Area

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BRIAN SHAW (2002): Drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1988, Shaw played 15 years, including his final four seasons with the Lakers. He's now an assistant coach for the Pacers.

BRIAN SHAW (2002): Drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1988, Shaw played 15 years, including his final four seasons with the Lakers. He's now an assistant coach for the Pacers.

Photo: AP

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BRIAN SHAW (2012): An image of Shaw from "The Town Game."

BRIAN SHAW (2012): An image of Shaw from "The Town Game."

Photo: Courtesy Comcast SportsNet Bay Area

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GARY PAYTON AND GREG FOSTER (1986): Payton and Foster during their senior year at Skyline High School. While Payton went to Oregon State, the The 6-foot-11 Foster played for UCLA and UTEP.

GARY PAYTON AND GREG FOSTER (1986): Payton and Foster during their senior year at Skyline High School. While Payton went to Oregon State, the The 6-foot-11 Foster played for UCLA and UTEP.

Photo: Fred Mertz / The Chronicle

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GREG FOSTER (2000): Foster played for nine different NBA teams, during a career that lasted from 1990 to 2003. He won a championship with the Lakers in 2001.

GREG FOSTER (2000): Foster played for nine different NBA teams, during a career that lasted from 1990 to 2003. He won a championship with the Lakers in 2001.

Photo: AP

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GREG FOSTER (2012): An image of Foster from "The Town Game."

GREG FOSTER (2012): An image of Foster from "The Town Game."

Photo: Courtesy Comcast SportsNet Bay Area

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PAUL SILAS (1976): Born in Arizona, Silas played basketball at McClymonds High in Oakland. The forward was a champion with the Celtics (celebrating with Dave Cowens, right) and scored 10,000 points with 10,000 rebounds in a 16-year career. less

PAUL SILAS (1976): Born in Arizona, Silas played basketball at McClymonds High in Oakland. The forward was a champion with the Celtics (celebrating with Dave Cowens, right) and scored 10,000 points with 10,000 ... more

Photo: Associated Press

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PAUL SILAS (2012): Silas stayed in basketball, coaching four different teams from 1980 to present. The 68-year-old is the current coach of the Charlotte Bobcats.

PAUL SILAS (2012): Silas stayed in basketball, coaching four different teams from 1980 to present. The 68-year-old is the current coach of the Charlotte Bobcats.

Photo: AP

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BILL RUSSELL (1956) Russell, with his mother and girlfriend, was a star at Oakland's McClymonds High. He played at USF from 1953-56. And if you're like me, you can't get the "Good Times" theme out of your head either. less

BILL RUSSELL (1956) Russell, with his mother and girlfriend, was a star at Oakland's McClymonds High. He played at USF from 1953-56. And if you're like me, you can't get the "Good Times" theme out of your head ... more

Photo: Ken McLaughlin / The Chronicle

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BILL RUSSELL (1956): Russell stretches for a rebound while playing against the Pepperdine waves. That's K.C. Jones on the left, who won eight NBA titles with Russell.

BILL RUSSELL (1956): Russell stretches for a rebound while playing against the Pepperdine waves. That's K.C. Jones on the left, who won eight NBA titles with Russell.

Photo: UPI

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BILL RUSSELL (1956): Bill Russell was also an outstanding high jumper. He's shown here at a USF meet during his senior year.

BILL RUSSELL (1956): Bill Russell was also an outstanding high jumper. He's shown here at a USF meet during his senior year.

Photo: Bob Campbell / The Chronicle

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BILL RUSSELL (2006): With 11 NBA championships and five MVP seasons, Russell is in the argument for the greatest NBA player of all time. He's shown here with Bob Knight.

BILL RUSSELL (2006): With 11 NBA championships and five MVP seasons, Russell is in the argument for the greatest NBA player of all time. He's shown here with Bob Knight.

Photo: AP

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Oakland basketball legends: Then and now

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Back to Gallery

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I’ve been wanting to do an Oakland basketball-themed Let’s Go to the Morgue! archive post since the feature started last year. One of my first searches in the Chronicle photo morgue was for old Gary Payton photos from his high school days.

The idea expanded when I found out Comcast’s Matthew Abrams was working on the Oakland basketball documentary “The Town Game: Two Lives, Two Paths,” featuring Leon Powe and Demetrius “Hook” Mitchell, which debuts Monday night at 9 p.m. (More information here.) He was willing to share resources, including some old photos and several new ones I didn’t have.

The list of great Oakland basketball players — I limited my list to athletes who played high school ball or street ball in Oakland and Alameda — is impressive. I’ve included an all-Oakland starting lineup below. (An idea that Brandon Soublet of Bleacher Report beat me to by three years.)

STARTERS

PG – Jason Kidd: I like Kidd over Payton here, just because he’s more likely to make all these strange parts fit.

G – Gary Payton: For all his skills as point guard, we’ll need his shooting and defense the most on this team.

C – Bill Russell: Everything revolves around the most dominant defensive presence the game has known.

F – Paul Silas: Silas gets the nod over Antonio Davis, because he was a little bit more flexible on offense. We’ll bring in Davis against bigger lineups.

G – Brian Shaw: I’m going with a three guard starting lineup to spread the floor for Russell. This gives us another 3-point shooter to keep help defense away from the big man.

BENCH

G – J.R. Rider: Rider’s a great sixth man with this team. We’ll use him like the Dallas Mavericks use Jason Terry.

C/PF – Antonio Davis: He’s starter material, but I like him better anchoring the second team.

F – Leon Powe: Energy off the bench. And we know he’s a good locker room guy.

F – Greg Foster: Always good to have a little extra size on the bench.

G/F – Joe Ellis: The McClymonds High of Oakland (and USF) standout played with the Warriors from 1966-74, averaging 15.8 points per game in 1969-70.

G – Lester Conner: This Fremont High grad also played at Chabot College. Commenters lauded his defense — he averaged more than 2 steals per game from 1988-90.

G – Demetrius “Hook” Mitchell: He’s our Nate Robinson, with a less deadly outside shot but more court sense. And Hook would have won three more slam dunk contests.

Oaktown basketball. I’ll take our chances against Chicago, New York or Los Angeles …

Let me know who else I missed. I’ll go back in the archives, see what I can find and try to update next week.

Thanks to Vanessa Rider for responding quickly to my e-mail and allowing me to use photos of Isaiah Rider. The media tends to focus on his setbacks, but I know people in Alameda who think very positively of him. Rider continues to give out scholarships through his Skyrider Foundation.

If the Oakland feature is popular, I’ll do the same thing with other Bay Area athletes, including San Francisco all-stars, or maybe something from the Peninsula. So make requests!

Four more photos below …

morgue05_hoops_hook_dunk

(Jason M. Grow/Chronicle)

Demetrius “Hook” Mitchell dunks at Mosswood Park in Oakland. Photo taken in 1993.

morgue05_hoops_kidd_dunk

(John OHara/Chronicle)

Jason Kidd during a playoff game against Bishop O’Dowd in 1992. Proof that he once had big hops …

shaw jump pass

Courtesy Comcast SportsNet Bay Area

Brian Shaw during his memorable year for UCSB, leading the team to its first NCAA tournament berth.

morgue05_hoops_russell_rebound

(Bob Campbell/the Chronicle)

Bill Russell fights for a rebound with California’s Ev McKeen in 1955.

Somewhere in the world, Ev McKeen has spent the last 57 years telling his children and grandchildren that he once leaped four feet in the air to battle for a rebound against Bill Russell. Well here’s proof, Ev.

If someone knows Ev McKeen, please have him e-mail me at phartlaub@sfchronicle.com. I’d love to interview him for my Let’s Go to the Q&A project.

Thanks for reading! Hope everyone enjoyed checking this out half as much as I enjoyed putting it together. Watch “The Town Game” on Monday!

PETER HARTLAUB is the pop culture critic at the San Francisco Chronicle and founder/editor of The Big Event. He takes requests. Contact him at phartlaub@sfchronicle.com. Follow him on Twitter @peterhartlaub. Follow The Big Event on Facebook.